America's Voice Blog

Posted 03/12/10 at 11:26am

‘Qué Pasa’ in Immigration: Obama Committed to Reform; Raids Continue

Today, the Spanish-language press trumpets President Barack Obama’s statement about his “unwavering commitment” to immigration reform and his desire to serve as a “partner” to its advocates, after several White House meetings to discuss what progress can be made to drive reform in Congress. Meanwhile, the federal government conducted immigration raids in Maryland and Nebraska.

White House meetings. Yesterday afternoon, President Obama met with immigration activists from across the country. One, Angélica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), told La Opinión that Obama

“said a lot of what we wanted to hear; however, I want to see the results of his talk. I trust his word, but I trust actions more.”

Obama also met with the senators working to develop a bipartisan immigration reform bill, Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who up till now have had trouble obtaining support in the Senate.

According to La Opinión, Schumer issued a statement declaring that

“we had a very productive meeting. We all agree that passing immigration reform this year is very important for our country. The President’s initial response was positive and we hope to hear his comments once he has the chance to review the document more thoroughly…We seek the President’s help in two specific areas: getting more support in the Senate and putting the final touches on an agreement between business and labor.”

The meetings — including a third with some members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus — occurred days before the March for America is scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C. to push for immigration reform. Pro-reform groups have requested that a blueprint for a bill be introduced before the March on the 21st, and that the Senate commit to a Judiciary Committee markup by April 23rd.

Other headlines from yesterday’s meetings:

Univisión.com: “Obama says yes to reform”

The AP: “Obama expresses ‘unwavering’ support for immigration reform”

EFE: “Activists ask White House to take concrete steps toward reform”

El Financiero (online edition): “ Obama reiterates backing for immigration reform”

Noticiero Televisa: “Obama meets with pro-immigrant groups”

Clips from UNIVISION:

http://www.univision.com/content/videoplayer.jhtml?cid=2316608

http://www.univision.com/content/videoplayer.jhtml?cid=2316582

More raids. As the White House meetings were taking place, immigration officials conducted raids across the state of Maryland, according to Mexican news agency Notimex in an article titled “29 undocumented immigrants detained in U.S.”

La Opinión reports on another ICE raid on a meatpacking plant in Nebraska.

America's Voice has started a new series, “‘Qué Pasa’ in Immigration,” to bring Spanish-language coverage of immigration and politics to a wider audience. Look for daily roundups (in English) of some of the best Spanish-language news.   

Don't forget to check out the latest Spanish-language reporting and analysis on immigration over at MaribelHastings.com.

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